As soon as Manik kissed her, Nandini couldn't hold back any longer and kissed him back passionately. She bit his lower lip harshly due to which it started bleeding while Manik hissed widening his eyes. They kissed and kissed untill Manik felt salty water mixing in his saliva.

He opened his eyes and saw Nandini had started crying. He immediately parted away. Both were breathing heavily.

"Golu! Hey.. shh! Why are you crying baby?" Manik cupped her face gently still lying upon her while Nandini jerked his hand and turned her face away. Manik made her look at him. She closed her eyes and had pressed her lips firmly to stop her loud sobs. He kissed her tears away.

"Golu.. I am here now baby. Look at me. I am sorry I had to go like that. Please understand me, jaan." That's it.

She broke into the loud sobs while palming her face. Manik's heart pained looking at her. Her tears are his weakness. He gently removed her palms.

"Mani ko dekhogi bhi nahi?" Hearing him Nandini opened her swollen eyes and looked at him.

Her eyes screamed pain, accusations, insecurities and most importantly - a longing.

Manik kissed on her forehead and whispered.

"Understand my reasons, baby. Please don't cry. I am sorry.."

"No. You are not. You did it willingly then why are you saying sorry? Why Mani? Did I ask too much from you? I just asked you to take me along with you. Bhaiyu isn't here, you were also going for a week so I was also willing to go somewhere. And what you did? You just left. You didn't even feel necessary to inform me? I know sometimes I behave like a crazy, like a mad. I accept. But I don't want to be away from you all. From you. Mani you become my habit, my world. You can't imagine what I feel if you're not around. I crave for your single glance. But I guess, I am being too much greedy. I am troubling you but I got my lesson. I won't trouble anymore. Just one request, don't leave me again please.. I.. I can not..li..ve.." Manik immediately hided her face in his chest hearing her cries. He kept on pecking her hairs now and then. His eyes were moist.

Her each word pricked his heart. She was so vulnerable. How should he explain her that she is not any trouble but his world, his life! She misunderstood the whole situation. He never wanted to make her feel that way. She is hurt.

Manik parted the hug and wiped her whole face which became red. He made her drink water and sat taking her in his embrace. She snuggled into his arms.

"Feeling better?" She nodded in his chest. Manik was caressing her hairs.

"Golu, I won't lie but this time it was a bit awkward to take you with me. The clients and I was living in the same tower. They seemed quite difficult to handle and too professional. Besides, you know you are a top businesswoman known by everyone. The news would have spreaded like a fire and you knew media people. Although we have announced officially about us still they like to interfere in our personal lives and make the things difficult for us. Let me tell you one more thing - I would have taken you even if media and clients made fuss. I still would have handled them. I would have been happiest to have you beside me. But you know why I didn't do that?" Nandini nodded in yes. Manik raised his brows.

"Bhaiyu wasn't here and bhai also got married recently so you wanted me to help him in work instead of roaming around." Said Nandini sniffing.

Manik laughed hearing her. Nandini frowned and huffed. Manik pulled her puffed cheeks.

"Cuteness ki dukaan. Who made you The NM ha? You are just an innocent baby. I am feeling like eating you up." Said Manik kissing her earlobe. Nandini jerked and showed him her forefinger.

"Mani.. don't you dare to distract me. I am angry on you." She said.

Manik laughed again on her cute threat while Nandini gave him a narrow look. Manik pulled her on his chest. Her face got covered due to her hairs. Manik slowly removed all hairs from her face and tucked it behind her ears. Both were looking at each other intensely.

"I am glad to know that my actions distract you, baby." Said Manik rubbing her cheek.

"Mani you-"

"Einstein, I did that because I want you to overcome all your fears, your insecurities. I don't want any one of our family to be your weakness. We all should be your strength. You should always be strong enough to face and fight with any situation." Nandini heard him quietly and moved away from him. She sat on bed while Manik also sat up straight.

"I am strong." She whispered. Manik smiled.

"Ofcourse you are. The NM is strongest and bold girl I have ever seen. But my Golu isn't. She is still a baby. So innocent. So fragile. She always needs her Mani to pamper her. She is dependent on him. Hain na?" Said Manik poking her a bit playfully. Nandini looked at him seriously.

"Oh, so this is the actual problem? You don't want me to behave like a baby around you. You don't like pampering and all. You don't want me to be dependent on you? You feel irritating? I thought you liked me that way. Alright. Not anymore. I will behave as a mature one. I won't be dependent on you for anything. I will do everything on my own." Manik looked at her with a shock.

"Golu, baby, you are taking it all wrong. I didn't mean that-"

"It is okay, Mani. I understood. I will behave just like you want me to. I am ready to do anything and everything just don't leave me please." Said Nandini with a pleading look.

Manik felt deep pain inside his heart. He held her shoulders and said firmly.

"Look here, Golu. And listen to me good. You are not any trouble neither you are irritating me with your any behavior. I love you the way you are. You don't need to change yourself for anyone. I left without telling you because I can't see you crying. Try to understand, baby. You should know how to live without me because if in future anything happens-"

"From this I am understanding only one thing that you have completely lost it!" Said Nandini shouting while standing on her place.

"Golu listen-"

"No you listen, Mani. Whatever you are saying or doing na is totally a bullshit. You wanted me to behave like a mature one you could have just told me what was the need to do all this? You kept on denying me and I kept on requesting you. I thought my feelings, my pain matters. But no! You just left for your trip without me to carry out this 'Nandini strong banao' mission. You said you were going for a week but you are back in a four days. How come? Oh wait, was there even any meeting? Or it was just a plan to make me suffer? Who else knows this? Bhai? Mukti?" Said Nandini getting furious.

"Are you even hearing yourself? What plan you are talking about? And we? We will plan against you? Really? I came here just in four days because of you, damn it. I was worried for you. You were not replying to my messages, calls. For you, I worked day and night continuously. I wrapped up the meetings and coming here you say it all as a plan? I wanted to give you a surprise and accusations are what I am getting in return. Woww.. just woww!" Said Manik furiously while clapping his hands. Nandini shook her head sadly while chuckling.

"Oh-kay! So Manik Malhotra regret his decision to come over here early. Great! But in my defence, I didn't asked you to do that. Just like you left on your own will, you could have come on your own will too. Why this much favour on me? Ah! Must be wanted to show off your love." Manik took a deep breathe and looked at her.

"Enough is enough, Nandini. You're calling my love as a show-off? I.. I can't believe I am hearing this from you. I.. I left you alone here because I want you to move on completely from your past. Is it a crime to think something good for your love?" Asked Manik looking hurt. Nandini shook her head and wiped her tears.

"No. Thinking about the betterment of your love can never be a crime. But I am already strong and independent. If you're forgetting, I am the same ruthless NM. I know where and how to be strong and bold."

"Oh just cut this NM crap! You say you are strong? Arey you stopped living and mixing up with people when I went away just a four days for business purpose. You made yourself sick. Halat dekhi hai apni? I know nothing such will happen but unfortunately, if something happened to me in future then? What will you do? Will you be same strong NM? Will you live the same life? Will you-"

"Just shut up, Manik. Just shut up! Not a word more." Shouted Nandini breathing heavily while her eyes were blur due to tears.

Manik stopped realising what he said. He looked at her whose face held extreme pain.

"Look, I didn't-"

"If anything happens to you in future na, then Nandini Murty will be no more in this world. You wanted to know right, what I'll do? I will kill myself. Because if there's no Manik, there won't be any Nandini. I hope you got your answer now." Said Nandini with so such intensity that Manik felt someone threw bucket full of cold water on him.

"NANDINI!" He shouted at the highest pitch.

"Don't you dare to utter such words infront of me again ever. You will face the real monster. Do you understand?" Said Manik holding her in a dead grip. She gave him faint smile to which he jerked her off.

"Really? So you can use these words but I can't? Why? It hurts, right? It hurted me too. So think before you speak next time." Said Nandini furiously. Manik just fumed.

"You.. just let it be. It was my mistake to come here running for you. I better be out of here." Saying this he left from there immediately. Nandini kept on looking at the way he went and wiped her tears.

_______________

"Manik, where are you? I heard noises from Nandi's room. I came to check but you were not there and Nandi was in a washroom." Said Ansh talking with Manik on phone. Manik didn't say anything.

"Manik?"

"Ansh, let's talk later. I am tired." Said Manik. Ansh could sense something wrong.

"What's wrong? You both fought right? What happened? When we left, I thought you both will spend some alone time." Asked Ansh with a concern.

"Your sister has absolutely lost it." Said Manik gritting his teeth hard.

Ansh looked at his phone. This tone of Manik was very rare to hear.

"What did she do?" He asked suspiciously.

"Let it be Ansh. I am not in a mood." Manik denied to tell.

"Okay. Don't tell. Sort it out in your ways. For now, take rest. You had a long journey." Ansh said with a concern. Manik smiled.

"Yeah. I am going to sleep now. I am dead tired yaar." Said Manik stretching his hand and legs. Ansh chuckled.

"Tired toh hoga hi. Apni golu ke liye din-raat mehnat jo ki hai." Said Ansh to which Manik sighed.

"As if she cares." He mumbled. Ansh smiled.

"She does. Anyways. I won't talk in between gola-golu. You guys are weird. Dono milkar muje hi bali ka bakra bana doge." Said Ansh making faces.

"Ansh.."

"Fine. Fine. Jokes apart, jab dono shant ho jaoge tab baat karo. You know how she is. She-"

"Ayeee saale Saab. Meko merehi golu ke baare me na bataiyo. I know her okay? Chal rakh phone ab." Ansh looked at phone narrowing his eyes.

"Kameena" Ansh.

"Kutta" Manik.

"Harami" Ansh.

"Nalayak" Manik.

"Dumbass" Ansh.

"MANIK!" Came a voice of Niyonika.

"Bye Monster." Saying this Ansh ended the call laughing. Manik shook his head.

Niyonika along with Cabir entered inside his room talking about something. They were laughing.

"Arey Mannu, you freshened up? Good. I have made your favorite dinner. Come, let's go." Said Niyonika. Cabir gave him a teasing smile.

"Oh mom, don't make dinner directly without asking this romeo. You know his juliet must have filled his tummy with all of her love. I don't think he has any appetite. Hain na bhai jaan?" Niyonika hits his head while Cabir laughed. Manik threw him a glare..

"Shut up, Cabir." Seeing his face, Cabir looked at Niyonika who shrugged not knowing the reason.

"What happened, Mannu? All good? You met Nandu na? She is fine, right?" Asked Niyonika worriedly. Manik shook his head.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean by that? Didn't you meet barbie?" Asked Cabir.

"Yes, I did. But we both had a fight so I came home immediately." He said on which Cabir jumped on bed. Niyonika shook her head.

"Aate hi fight? Kya mannu? Bachhe ho kya? She was waiting for you na?" Said Niyonika slapping his shoulder.

"Yeh toh inka rozka hai mom. Aap shant rahiyo. Pop-corn layo, movie dekhte hai." Said Cabir on which Manik threw a pillow on his face. Cabir laughed.

"This time it's not my mistake, mom. So I will not go behind her and say sorry. My only mistake is, I returned India early for her who didn't care about it at all." Said Manik hurtfully and left downstairs. Niyonika and Cabir shared a look.

___________________

"Ahm ahm.." Ansh coughed to gain attention of Nandini who was sitting near window lost in her thoughts. She looked at the voice and found Ansh standing at the door.

"Bhai? Aap? Andar aaiye na." She said smiling. Ansh nodded and came towards her. Taking a sit beside her he held her hand. Nandini looked at him.

"You must be happy now. Your Mani is back." He said smiling. She smiled back.

"Yeah. I am happy. But doesn't matter." She said looking away.

"You know Nandi, in our anger and frustration na we tend to hurt our most loved person. We shout, we scream, we say hurtful things to them. Because we know they will be there for us. Because we know we have right to do so. But later, we have to make it up too." Said Ansh patting her hand a little. Nandini looked at him.

"I don't know what happened between you two but I know one thing for sure that you guys had fought. Nandi, He wrapped up his 7 days work just in the 4 days for you! Can you imagine how must have he worked? It must be so tiring and exhausting. After landing in India, he straight away ran here to meet you. He wanted to surprise you. He wanted to see the smile on your face which was lost in those 4 days. Manik loves you so much, Nandi." Said Ansh. Nandini just hugged Ansh tightly and sniffed. Ansh patted her head.

"He left me, Bhai. Without telling me." She said still hugging him.

"You better know the reason, Nandi." He said on which she just sniffed.

"He said he left me so that I should learn living without people. I should be independent." Ansh smiled hearing her.

"And how's that wrong?" He asked. She whined.

"You are taking his side."

"No baby, I am not. For a fact, you should start living fearlessly. You know all are your family and they will be always with you no matter what. Even if they go abroad for some work, they are going to return to you. You have to understand this, Nandi." Nandini whispered.

"I understood."

"Good girl. Now say sorry to your Mani and sort out the fight." Nandini nodded yes. She then whispered slowly.

"He also said bad things.. he said .. that.. if something happens to him... I... I.. should live wi.. without.." she couldn't complete just cried in his arms. Ansh rubbed her back.

"Okay enough. Shh. Don't cry baby. I will give him punch for saying this. I will make sure he would say sorry to you. Is that okay now?" She nodded no and broke the hug.

"Don't punch. It will hurt him. Ask him not to say this again. It hurts when he says such things. I found my happiness in him, Bhai. Without him, I won't exist." She said sadly. Ansh wiped her face.

"I know, baby. I understand. I will make him understand too, okay?" She nodded.

"Now all good?" He asked. She nodded. He frowned.

"Without a smile?"

Nandini smiled a little. He started to tickle her and she laughed aloud.

"Hahaha. Bhai no! Stop! Haha..please bhaiiii!!" Nandini shouted while laughing. Ansh stopped and kissed her forehead.

"Always keep smiling and laughing." Nandini gave him a big smile and kissed his cheek.

"Sorry for fighting with you in these days. I was rude. It won't happen again. Promise." She held her ears. Ansh chuckled patting her cheek.

"It is okay, Nandi bail. Maaf Kiya tujhe. Tu bhi kya yaad rakhegi..." Saying this he started to leave. Nandini puffed her cheeks and threw the pillow on him which he missed.

"Bhaiiiii!!! Main Nandi bail nahi hoon! Aah!" She shouted angrily stomping her foot while Ansh laughed from outside.

Screen freezes.

Important - I have changed some scenes from last chapters. So do read the story/part so that you would understand. I hope you enjoy the new scenes with a few differences.